Do Athletes Get Varicose Veins?

With the start of March Madness, it’s natural to start thinking about the athletes playing the game. Athletes are typically the billboard of good health. They perform demanding activities and follow strict dietary guidelines to condition their bodies for athletic matches. One of the greatest ways to keep varicose veins at bay is to exercise, so these players shouldn’t be dealing with varicose veins, right? But they do. More often than you may think.

Here are some of the reasons that athletes get varicose veins.

Can’t Escape Your Genes

Since most varicose veins are hereditary, there is nothing an athlete can do to escape the possibility they will get varicose veins if others in their family have also had them. The genetics inherited from a mother and father is one of the surest ways to know that you’ll end up with varicose. If both parents have varicose veins, the likelihood increases even more that their athlete will get varicose veins.

Extreme pressure movements

In some sports, usage of the legs in an extreme way is part of the gig. For athletes performing under these conditions, there is an increased chance of developing varicose veins. This is due to blood pooling and circulation going awry in the legs. Once the veins have been damaged or diseased you may feel discomfort or even visually see a bulge and twist from the inflamed veins. And not just things like weight lifting or extreme use of the legs can cause this – but also straining the abdominal area could increase pressure on your legs and bring about varicose veins.This is one of the contributing factors to athletes getting varicose veins.

Improper Care

Even the best athlete can cause serious damage to their body if they don’t take the proper precautions and aftercare when they have exerted their energy after a competition. Giving their body a rest and allowing it to return to its normal function is imperative for athletes performing all types of sports. While most athletes can’t “go lightly” on their bodies on the day of a game, they can do things like watch for swollen legs after a game and immediately rest their feet in an elevated position to improve circulation. Compression socks can also be used. Paying attention and following up with proper care are critical for preventing athletes from getting Varicose Veins.

If you’re an athlete and dealing with varicose veins, don’t wait to seek help. Leaving them can increase chances the condition worsens or can even cause blood clots. Plus, with today’s technological advancements treatment options are available that have little to not downtime. There’s no reason to wait. Contact us today for a free vein consultation to see if athletics are affecting your legs.